1976 South Carolina Code of Laws
Unannotated
Updated through the end of the 2005 Regular Session

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This statutory database is current through the 2005 Regular Session of the South Carolina General Assembly. Changes to the statutes enacted by the 2006 General Assembly, which will convene in January 2006, will be incorporated as soon as possible. Some changes enacted by the 2006 General Assembly may take immediate effect. The State of South Carolina and the South Carolina Legislative Council make no warranty as to the accuracy of the data, or changes which may have been enacted since the 2005 Regular Session or which took effect after this database was prepared and users rely on the data entirely at their own risk.

Title 40 - Professions and Occupations

CHAPTER 22.

ENGINEERS AND LAND SURVEYORS

SECTION 40-22-5. Application of Chapter 1; conflicts.

Unless otherwise provided for in this chapter, Article 1, Chapter 1 of Title 40 applies to those professions of engineering and land surveying regulated by the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation. If there is a conflict between this chapter and Article 1, Chapter 1 of Title 40, the provisions of this chapter control.

SECTION 40-22-10. Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors: membership and qualifications; compensation; removal; meetings; liability.

(A) There is created the South Carolina State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors under the administration of the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation. The purpose of the board is to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public by ensuring that only properly qualified and competent engineers and land surveyors are licensed to practice, by promoting technical competency and ethical standards consistent with the Rules of Professional Conduct applicable to engineers and land surveyors, and by appropriately disciplining those found in violation of laws governing engineering and land surveying.

(B) The board shall consist of eight members appointed by the Governor. Five members must be professional engineers; two professional land surveyors, at least one of whom must be actively engaged in the practice of land surveying; and one from the general public appointed in accordance with Section 40-22-40. Members of the board shall serve for terms of five years and until their successors are appointed and qualify. A member of the board shall receive a certificate of his appointment from the Governor and before beginning his term of office shall file with the Secretary of State his written oath or affirmation for the faithful discharge of his official duty.

(C)(1) Each engineering member of the board must be a citizen of the United States and a resident of South Carolina, must be licensed in this State, must have been engaged in the practice of engineering in this State for at least twelve years, and must have been in responsible charge of important engineering work for at least five years. Responsible charge of engineering teaching may be construed as responsible charge of important engineering work.

(2) Each land surveyor member of the board must be a citizen of the United States and a resident of this State, must be licensed in this State, and must have been engaged in the practice of land surveying in this State for at least twelve years.

(3) The public member of the board must be a citizen of the United States and a resident of this State for at least twelve consecutive years.

(D) Board members must be compensated for their services at the usual rate for mileage, subsistence, and per diem as provided by law for members of state boards, committees, and commissions and may be reimbursed for actual and necessary expenses incurred in connection with and as a result of their work as members of the board.

(E) The Governor may remove a member of the board pursuant to Section 1-3-240. Vacancies on the board must be filled for the unexpired portion of the term in the manner of the original appointment.

(F)(1) The board shall elect or appoint annually a chairman, a vice-chairman, and a secretary.

(2) The board shall meet at least two times a year and at other times upon the call of the chairman or a majority of the board.

(3) A simple majority of the members of the board eligible to vote constitutes a quorum; however, if there is a vacancy on the board, a majority of the members serving constitutes a quorum.

(4) A board member is required to attend meetings or to provide proper notice and justification of inability to do so. Unexcused absences from meetings may result in removal from the board as provided for in Section 1-3-240.

(G) Neither the board nor any of its members, agents, or department employees are liable for acts performed in good faith during the course of their official duties.

(2) "Approved engineering curriculum" means an engineering program of four or more years determined by the board to be substantially equivalent to that of an EAC/ABET accredited curriculum.

(3) "Associate professional engineer" means a Category B license holder who is qualified to practice within the profession of engineering in the manner defined in this chapter and as attested by his recognition and registration as an associate professional engineer in this State.

(4) "Board" means the South Carolina State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors created pursuant to this chapter.

(5) "Branch office" means a place of business separate from the principal place of business where engineering services or land surveying services are provided. A specific project or construction site office is not a branch office. Nothing contained in this chapter prevents a professional engineer or professional land surveyor from undertaking an engineering or a land surveying project anywhere in the State.

(6) "Current certificate of registration" means a license to practice which has not expired or has not been revoked and which has not been suspended or otherwise restricted by the board.

(7) "Department" means the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation.

(8) "Design coordination" includes the review and coordination of those technical submissions prepared by others, including as appropriate and without limitation, consulting engineers, architects, landscape architects, land surveyors, and other professionals working under the direction of the engineer.

(9) "Direct responsibility", "direct supervisory control", "direct supervision", and " responsible charge" all mean the direction of engineering work by an engineer or land surveying work by a land surveyor to the extent that successful completion of the work is dependent on the personal supervision, direct control, and final decisions by the qualified registrant to the extent that the qualified registrant assumes professional responsibility for the work.

(10) "Engineer" means a professional engineer as defined in this section.

(11) "Engineering surveys" include all minor survey activities required to support the sound conception, planning, design, construction, maintenance, operation, and investigation of engineered projects but exclude the surveying of real property for the establishment of land boundaries, rights-of-way, and easements and the independent surveys or resurveys of general land masses.

(12) "Engineer-in-training" means a person who has qualified for and passed the Fundamentals of Engineering examination as provided in this chapter and is entitled to receive a certificate as an engineer-in-training.

(13) "Firm" means a business entity functioning as a sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability partnership, professional association, professional corporation, business corporation, limited liability company, joint venture, or other legally constituted organization which practices or offers to practice engineering or land surveying, or both.

(14) "Fraud or deceit" means intentional deception to secure gain, through attempts deliberately to conceal, mislead, or misrepresent the truth in a manner that others might take some action in reliance or an act which provides incorrect, false, or misleading information on which others might rely.

(15) "GIS" means geographic information systems.

(16) "Good character" refers to a person of good moral character and one who has not been convicted of a violent crime, as defined in Section 16-1-60, or a crime of moral turpitude.

(17) "Gross negligence" means an act or course of action, or inaction, which denotes a lack of reasonable care and a conscious disregard or indifference to the rights, safety, or welfare of others and which does or could result in financial loss, injury, or damage to life or property.

(18) "Incompetence" means the practice of engineering or land surveying by a licensee determined to be either incapable of exercising ordinary care and diligence or lacking the ability and skill necessary to properly perform the duties undertaken.

(19) "Land surveyor-in-training" means a person who has qualified for and passed the Fundamentals of Land Surveying examination as provided in this chapter and is entitled to receive a certificate as a land surveyor-in-training.

(20) "Licensed" means authorized by this board, pursuant to the statutory powers delegated by the State to this board, to engage in the practice of engineering, or land surveying, or engineering and land surveying, as evidenced by the board's certificate issued to the registered license holder.

(21) "Misconduct" means the violation of a provision of this chapter or of a regulation promulgated by the board pursuant to this chapter.

(22) "Practice of engineering" means any service or creative work, the adequate performance of which requires engineering education, training, and experience in the application of special knowledge of the mathematical, physical, and engineering sciences to such services or creative work as consultation, investigation, expert technical testimony, evaluation, design and design coordination of engineering works and systems, design for development and use of land and water, performing engineering surveys and studies, and the review of construction for the purpose of monitoring compliance with drawings and specifications, any of which embraces such services or work, either public or private, in connection with any utilities, structures, buildings, machines, equipment, processes, work systems projects, and industrial or consumer products or equipment of control systems, communications, mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, or thermal nature, insofar as they involve safeguarding life, health, or property, and including such other professional services as may be necessary to the planning, progress, and completion of any engineering services. The mere execution, as a contractor, of work designed by a professional engineer or supervision of the construction of such work as a foreman or superintendent is not considered the practice of engineering. A person must be construed to practice or offer to practice engineering, within the meaning and intent of this chapter who:

(a) practices any branch of the profession of engineering; or

(b) by verbal claim, sign, advertisement, letterhead, card, or in any other way represents himself to be a professional engineer or through the use of some other title implies that he is a professional engineer or that he is licensed under this chapter; or

(c) holds himself out as able to perform or does perform any engineering service or work or any other professional service designated by the practitioner or which is recognized as engineering.

(23) "Practice of TIER A land surveying" means providing professional services including, but not limited to, consultation investigation, testimony evaluation, expert technical testimony, planning, mapping, assembling, and interpreting reliable scientific measurements and information relative to the location, size, shape, or physical features of the earth, the space above the earth, or part of the earth, and utilization and development of these facts and interpretation into an orderly survey map, site plan, report, description, or project. The practice of TIER A land surveying consists of three separate disciplines: land boundary surveying, photogrammetry, and geographic information systems/land information systems (GIS/LIS). A land surveyor may be licensed in one or more of the disciplines and practice is restricted to only the discipline or disciplines for which the land surveyor is licensed. The practice of TIER A land surveying does not include the use of the GIS or LIS to create maps pursuant to Section 40-22-290, analyze data, or create reports. The scope of the individual disciplines are identified as follows:

(a) Land Boundary Surveyor:

(1) locates, relocates, establishes, re-establishes, lays out, or retraces any property line or boundary of any tract of land or any road, right-of-way, easement, alignment, or elevation of any fixed works embraced within the practice of land surveying, or makes any survey for the subdivision of land;

(2) determines, by the use of principles of land surveying, the position for any survey monument or reference point; or sets, resets, or replaces such monument or reference; determines the topographic configuration or contour of the earth's surface with terrestrial measurements; conducts hydrographic surveys;

(3) conducts geodetic surveying which includes surveying for determination of geographic position in an international three-dimensional coordinate system, where the curvature of the earth must be taken into account when determining directions and distances; geodetic surveying includes the use of terrestrial measurements of angles and distances, as well as measured ranges to artificial satellites.

(b) A photogrammetric surveyor determines the configuration or contour of the earth's surface or the position of fixed objects thereon by applying the principles of mathematics on remotely sensed data, such as photogrammetry.

(c) A geographic information systems/land information systems mapper creates, prepares, or modifies electronic or computerized data including land information systems and geographic information systems relative to the performance of the activities described in subitems (a) and (b) above.

(24) "Practice of TIER B land surveying" includes all rights and privileges of the TIER A land boundary surveying discipline defined in Section 40-22-20(23)(a); and in addition to these rights and privileges, TIER B land surveying includes, for subdivisions, preparing and furnishing subdivision plans for sedimentation and erosion control and storm drainage systems, if the systems do not require the structural design of system components and are restricted to the use, where relevant, of any standards prescribed by local, state, or federal authorities. Regulations defining the scope of the additional powers granted to TIER B land surveyors must be promulgated by the board.

(25) "Private practice firm" means a firm as defined herein through which the practice of engineering or land surveying would require a certificate of authorization as described in this chapter.

(26) "Private practitioner" means a person who individually holds himself out to the general public as able to perform, or who individually does perform, the independent practice of engineering or land surveying.

(27) "Professional engineer" means a Category A license holder who, by reason of his special knowledge of the mathematical and physical sciences and the principles and methods of engineering analysis and design, acquired by professional education and practical experience, is qualified to practice engineering as defined in this section, all as attested by his legal license and registration as a professional engineer in this State.

(28) "Professional land surveyor" means a person who is qualified to practice any discipline of TIER A or TIER B land surveying in this State, as defined in this section and as attested by his legal license and registration as a TIER A or TIER B professional land surveyor in this State.

(29) "Professions of architecture, landscape architecture, and geology" mean those specified professions as defined by the laws of this State and applicable regulations.

(30) "Registered" means the engineer or land surveyor is licensed and registered in the State.

(31) "Resident professional engineer" or "resident professional land surveyor", with respect to principal office and branch office requirements, means a licensed practitioner who spends a majority of each normal workday in the principal or branch office.

SECTION 40-22-30. Practice of engineering or land surveying without license prohibited.

(A) In addition to those penalties provided for in Section 40-1-200 and in order to safeguard life, health, and property and to promote the public welfare, it is unlawful for a:

(1) person in a public or private capacity to practice or offer to practice engineering or land surveying without being licensed pursuant to this chapter;

(2) person to use in connection with his name or otherwise assume, use, or advertise a title or description tending to convey the impression that he is a professional engineer or professional land surveyor unless the person is licensed and registered pursuant to this chapter;

(3) firm in a public or private capacity to practice or offer to practice engineering or land surveying without being licensed and holding a valid authorization to practice, as provided in Section 40-22-250;

(4) person or firm to knowingly submit false information to the board for the purpose of obtaining licensure.

(B) It is unlawful for an individual or firm to engage in the practice of TIER A land surveying or the practice of TIER B land surveying in this State, to use the title "land surveyor", or to use or display any title, verbal claim, sign, advertisement, letterhead, card, or other device or method to indicate that the individual or firm engages in or offers to engage in the practice of TIER A or TIER B land surveying without being registered as a land surveyor or firm.

(C) It is unlawful for an individual or firm to engage in the practice of engineering in this State, to use the title "engineer", or to use or display any title, verbal claim, sign, advertisement, letterhead, card, or other device or method to indicate that the individual or firm engages in or offers to engage in the practice of engineering without being registered as an engineer or firm.

(D) A violation of this section is punishable pursuant to Section 40-22-200.

SECTION 40-22-40. Nomination of board member candidate from general public.

A board member candidate from the general public may be nominated by an individual, group, or association. The public member must be appointed to the board by the Governor in accordance with Section 40-1-45.

(A) The Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation shall provide all administrative, fiscal, investigative, inspectional, clerical, secretarial, and license renewal operations and activities of the board.

(B) The board shall promulgate examination, licensing, and registration fees for professional engineers, engineers-in-training, professional land surveyors, land surveyors-in-training, and registration for firms in regulation. If the board denies the issuance of a license to an applicant, once the processing of his application has commenced, the fee deposited must be retained as an application fee.

(C) The board shall keep a record of its proceedings, a register of all applications for individual licenses, and a register of all applications for certificates of authorization. The records of the board are prima facie evidence of the proceedings of the board set forth in the record. A transcript of the proceedings, certified by the administrator or the director under seal, is admissible in evidence with the same force and effect as the original.

(1) For professional licensure applications, the register shall state:

(a) the name, age, and residence of each applicant;

(b) the date and type of the application;

(c) the business address and telephone number of the applicant;

(d) the applicant's educational and other qualifications;

(e) whether or not an examination was required;

(f) whether the applicant was rejected;

(g) whether a license to practice was granted;

(h) the date of the action of the board; and

(i) other information considered necessary by the board.

(2) For applications requesting a certificate of authorization, the register shall state:

(a) the name and type of business entity;

(b) the date of application;

(c) the business address and telephone number;

(d) the address for service of due process;

(e) the date of action by the board;

(f) approval or rejection of the application; and

(g) other information considered necessary by the board.

(D) Annually the board shall prepare a roster or supplements to the roster containing the current names and places of business of all professional engineers and all professional land surveyors. The roster and supplements to the roster must also provide a listing of business entities holding a valid certificate of authorization to practice engineering or land surveying, or both, in this State.

SECTION 40-22-60. Rules and regulations; official seal.

(A) The board may adopt rules governing its proceedings and may promulgate regulations necessary to carry out the provisions of this chapter. The board shall adopt and have an official seal.

(B) The board may promulgate regulations defining the requirements for licensure for each of the surveying disciplines enumerated in Section 40-22-20(23).

SECTION 40-22-70. Powers and duties.

In addition to the powers and duties provided in this chapter, the board has those powers and duties set forth in Section 40-1-70.

(A) If the board or the director of the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation has reason to believe that a person has violated a provision of this chapter or a regulation promulgated under this chapter or if a person files a written complaint with the board or the director of the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation charging a person or a business with a violation of a provision of this chapter or a regulation promulgated under this chapter, the board may initiate an investigation.

(B) In accordance with Section 40-1-80, the board, under the hand of its chairman and the seal of the board, may issue subpoenas to compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of documents and also may administer oaths, take testimony, hear proofs, and receive exhibits in evidence for all purposes required in the discharge of duties under this chapter. Upon failure to obey a subpoena or to answer questions propounded by the board, the board may apply to an administrative law judge for an order requiring the person to comply.

(C) A person may prefer charges of fraud, deceit, gross negligence, incompetency, or misconduct against a registrant and charges of unlicensed practice against nonregistrants. The charges must be in writing, supported by affidavit of specific wrongdoing, and filed with the chairman of the board. All charges, unless dismissed by the board as unfounded, trivial, or otherwise without merit, must be investigated by the board to determine if a hearing is warranted.

(D) The board may not consider charges in a matter that would otherwise be precluded by prevailing statutes of limitation or repose.

SECTION 40-22-90. Investigation results to be presented to Board; hearing; notification of accused.

(A) The results of an investigation must be presented to the board. If from these results it appears that a violation has occurred or that a licensee has become unfit to practice engineering or land surveying, the board, in accordance with the Administrative Procedures Act, may take disciplinary action authorized by Section 40-1-120.

(B) No disciplinary action may be taken unless the matter is presented to and voted upon by the board.

(C) The board may designate a hearing officer or hearing panel to conduct hearings or take other action as may be necessary under Section 40-1-90.

(D) If in the judgment of the board a hearing is warranted, the charges may be processed as provided for by the Administrative Procedures Act.

(1) The time and place for a hearing must be fixed by the board. The accused must be furnished a copy of the charges and a notice of the time and place of hearing. Notification must be personally serviced or served by certified mail, return receipt requested, at the last known address of the accused at least thirty days before the scheduled hearing date.

(2) The accused may appear personally and with counsel to cross-examine witnesses appearing against him and to produce evidence and witnesses in his own defense.

(A) As provided for in Section 40-1-100, when the board has reason to believe that a person is violating or intends to violate a provision of this chapter or a regulation promulgated under this chapter, in addition to all other remedies, it may order the person immediately to cease and desist from engaging in the conduct. If a person is practicing engineering and or land surveying without being licensed under this chapter, is violating a board order or a provision of this chapter or a regulation promulgated under this chapter, the board also may apply to an administrative law judge for a temporary restraining order, in accordance with the rules of the Administrative Law Judge Division.

(B) No board member or director of the department or other employee of the department may be held liable for damages resulting from a wrongful temporary restraining order issued pursuant to Section 40-1-100.

SECTION 40-22-110. Penalties Board may impose; grounds.

(A) The board may seek administrative fines, pursuant to Section 40-1-120 or seek criminal penalties against a person or firm found guilty of unlicensed practice of engineering or land surveying. In addition to the grounds provided for in Section 40-1-110, the board may cancel, suspend, refuse, revoke, or restrict a license as well as reprimand, fine, or require re-examination of an individual who is found guilty of:

(1) the practice of fraud or deceit in applying for or obtaining a certificate of registration;

(2) gross negligence, incompetency, or misconduct in the practice of engineering or land surveying;

(3) a felony or misdemeanor which, in the judgment of the board, adversely affects the registrant's ability to perform satisfactorily within the licensed discipline;

(4) aiding or abetting any person in violation of a provision of this chapter or a regulation promulgated pursuant to this chapter;

(5) a violation of this chapter or a regulation promulgated by the board; and

(6) practicing in a registration category or tier for which the licensee has not been licensed by the board.

(B) The license of a person adjudged mentally incompetent is deemed automatically suspended upon the adjudication until the person is adjudged as being restored to mental competency by a court of competent jurisdiction or in any other manner provided by law.

SECTION 40-22-115. Jurisdiction of Board.

The board has jurisdiction over practice undertaken by nonlicensed individuals, and the actions committed or omitted by current and former licensees during the entire period of licensure. The board has jurisdiction to act on any matter which arises during the practice authorization period of licensed practitioners as provided for in Section 40-1-115.

SECTION 40-22-120. Civil fines and other penalties.

(A) If a majority of the board sustains the charges against the offending party, the board may levy a civil fine, as well as reprimand, suspend, refuse licensure, require requalification or revoke the certificate of registration, as appropriate.

(B) The board may require the offending party to pay a fine of not more than five hundred dollars to the board for each violation of a provision of this chapter or a regulation promulgated by the board; however, the total of the fines imposed for these violations may exceed ten thousand dollars.

(C) A final order of the board disciplining a licensee under this chapter is public information in accordance with Section 40-1-120(C).

SECTION 40-22-130. Grounds for denial of license.

As provided for in Section 40-1-130, the board may deny licensure to an applicant based on the same grounds for which the board may take disciplinary action against a licensee.

SECTION 40-22-140. Prior criminal record.

As provided for in Section 40-1-140, a license may not be denied solely based on a person's prior criminal record.

SECTION 40-22-150. Voluntary surrender of license.

A licensee under investigation for a violation of this chapter or a regulation promulgated under this chapter may voluntarily surrender the license to practice in accordance with and subject to the provisions of Section 40-1-150.

SECTION 40-22-160. Review of final action.

A person aggrieved by a final action of the board may seek review of the decision to the Administrative Law Judge Division in accordance with Section 40-1-160.

SECTION 40-22-170. Costs.

A person found in violation of this chapter or regulations promulgated under this chapter may be required to pay costs associated with the investigation and prosecution of the case in accordance with Section 40-1-170.

SECTION 40-22-180. Payment of fines; interest.

(A) All fines are payable immediately upon imposition. Unless the fine is paid within sixty days after the order becomes final, the order constitutes a judgment and must be filed and execution issued on the judgment in the same manner as the judgment of a court of common pleas. Interest accrues on the amount of the fine from the date imposed until the date paid at the rate specified in Section 34-31-20(B).

(B) No registrant against whom a fine is levied is eligible for reinstatement until the fine has been paid in full.

SECTION 40-22-190. Confidentiality of proceedings.

To the extent provided in Section 40-1-190, investigations and proceedings conducted under this chapter are confidential and all communications are privileged. Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, a final order of the board disciplining a licensee is public information as provided for in Section 40-1-120(C).

A person who violates a provision of this chapter or a regulation promulgated pursuant to this chapter or who commits any of the following violations is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be imprisoned for not more than six months or fined not less than five hundred dollars and not more than two thousand dollars for each violation, or both; however, the total imposed for these violations may not exceed ten thousand dollars:

(1) practices or offers to practice engineering or land surveying in this State without being registered in accordance with this chapter;

(2) presents or attempts to use as his own the certificate of registration or the seal of another;

(3) gives false or forged evidence of any kind to the board or to a member of the board in obtaining a certificate of registration;

(4) falsely impersonates another registrant of like or different name;

(5) attempts to use an expired or revoked certificate of registration.

SECTION 40-22-210. Injunctions; rule to show cause.

To enforce this chapter or to restrain a violation of this chapter, the department, on behalf of the board, may petition an administrative law judge for an injunction in the name of the State as provided generally in civil cases. In these proceedings:

(1) It is not necessary to establish the absence of an adequate remedy of law.

(2) Board members are not personally liable for damages resulting from a wrongful injunction.

(3) The initial order of injunction must include a rule to show cause and is temporary pending the return to the rule.

SECTION 40-22-220. Eligibility requirements for license as engineer.

(A) A person having the necessary qualifications prescribed in this chapter to entitle him to registration is eligible for licensure, although he may not be practicing his profession at the time he applies. The Category A professional engineer license holder is entitled to the unrestricted practice of engineering. The Category B associate professional engineer license holder has the same practice privileges as a Category A license holder, except that holders of the Category B license may not assume direct responsibility, direct supervisory control, or responsible charge for engineering work as an independent private practitioner or for engineering work provided by a private practice firm. Both categories must be certified as an engineer-in-training as a prerequisite to licensure.

(B) To be eligible for certification as an engineer-in-training, an applicant must be of good character and reputation and be able to effectively communicate in the English language. The minimum evidence satisfactory to the board that an applicant is qualified for certification as an engineer-in-training is:

(1) graduation in an EAC/ABET accredited engineering curriculum of four or more scholastic years from a school or college approved by the board as being in satisfactory standing and passing of a written or electronic examination as required by the board; or

(2) graduation in an approved engineering curriculum from a school or college approved by the board as being in satisfactory standing other than those in item (1), or graduation in a TAC/ABET accredited engineering technology curriculum of four or more years from a school or college approved by the board as being in satisfactory standing, a specific record after graduation of four or more years of progressive engineering work of a character satisfactory to the board and passing written or electronic examinations in engineering subjects designed to show knowledge and skill approximating that attained through graduation in an EAC/ABET accredited engineering curriculum, and passing of the examination as required in item (1). Upon graduation an applicant qualifying under this item may take the written or electronic examination as required by the board; however, the applicant may be certified as an engineer-in-training only after having first attained four years of progressive experience in engineering work of a character satisfactory to the board.

(C) To be eligible for licensure and registration as a Category A professional engineer, an applicant must be of good character and reputation and be able to effectively communicate in the English language. When the evidence presented in the application does not appear conclusive to the board or does not warrant the issuing of a license, the applicant may be required to present further evidence for consideration by the board. The applicant also shall meet the requirements of the other pertinent sections of this chapter. The minimum evidence satisfactory to the board that an applicant is qualified for licensure as a Category A professional engineer is:

(1) graduation in an EAC/ABET accredited engineering curriculum of four or more scholastic years from a school or college approved by the board as being in satisfactory standing and a specific record of an additional four or more years of progressive experience in engineering work of a character satisfactory to the board, indicating that the applicant is competent to practice engineering (in counting years of experience, the board may give one year credit for satisfactory completion of a Master's Degree in engineering or maximum credit of two years for satisfactory completion of the doctorate level degree in engineering), and passing examinations required by the board;

(2) graduation from an approved engineering curriculum from a school or college approved by the board as being in satisfactory standing other than those in item (1), a specific record after graduation of eight or more years of progressive experience in engineering work of a character satisfactory to the board, indicating that the applicant is competent to practice engineering, passing a written or electronic examination designed to show knowledge and skill approximating that attained through graduation in an EAC/ABET accredited four-year engineering curriculum, and then passing the written examinations required of applicants in item (1); or

(3) graduation in a TAC/ABET accredited engineering technology curriculum of four or more years from a school or college approved by the board as being in satisfactory standing, supplemental post graduate studies in approved engineering science courses sufficient to equate the applicant's cumulative program of formal engineering study as being substantially equivalent to an EAC/ABET accredited program, a specific record after graduation of eight or more years of progressive experience in engineering work of a character satisfactory to the board and which indicates that the applicant is competent to practice engineering, passing a written or electronic examination designed to show knowledge and skill approximating that attained through graduation in an EAC/ABET accredited four-year engineering curriculum, and then passing the written examination required of applicants in item (1).

(D) To be eligible for licensure and registration as a Category B associate professional engineer, an applicant must be of good character and reputation and be able to effectively communicate in the English language. If the evidence presented in the application does not appear conclusive to the board or does not warrant the issuing of a license, the applicant may be required to present further evidence for consideration by the board. The applicant also shall meet the requirements of the other pertinent sections of this chapter. The minimum evidence satisfactory to the board that an applicant is qualified for licensure and registration as a Category B associate professional engineer is graduation in a TAC/ABET accredited engineering technology curriculum of four or more years from a school or college approved by the board as being in satisfactory standing, a specific record after graduation of eight or more years of experience in engineering work of a character satisfactory to the board, and passing a written or electronic examination as required by the board.

SECTION 40-22-225. Eligibility requirements for license as land surveyor.

(A) A person having the necessary qualifications prescribed in this chapter to entitle him for a license is eligible for licensure although he may not be practicing in his profession at the time he applies.

(B) To be eligible for certification as a land surveyor-in-training, an applicant must be of good character and reputation and be able to effectively communicate in the English language. When the evidence presented in the application does not appear to the board conclusive nor warranting the issuing of a certificate of registration, the applicant may be required to present further evidence for the consideration of the board. The applicant must also meet the requirement of the other pertinent sections of this chapter. The minimum evidence satisfactory to the board that an applicant is qualified for certification as a land surveyor-in-training is:

(1) graduation from a school or college of four or more years with a board-approved bachelor of science degree or an ABET commission accredited curriculum in a related field or a substantially equivalent program including in the curriculum not less than twelve semester hours or the equivalent in quarter hours of discipline-specific courses satisfactory to the board in each of the disciplines described in Section 40-22-20(23) for which the applicant is requesting licensure, a specific record of one or more years of progressive practical experience of a character satisfactory to the board and performed under a practicing registered professional land surveyor and has passed the written or electronic examinations in the Fundamentals of Land Surveying as prescribed by the board; or

(2) graduation from a school or college of two years or more with an associate degree in a TAC/ABET commission accredited curriculum of engineering technology, land surveying, or a substantially equivalent program, including completed discipline-specific courses satisfactory to the board of not less than twelve semester hours or the equivalent in quarter hours in each of the disciplines described in Section 40-22-20(23) for which the applicant is requesting licensure, a specific record of three years or more of progressive practical experience of a character satisfactory to the board and performed under a practicing professional land surveyor, and has passed the written or electronic examinations in the Fundamentals of Land Surveying as prescribed by the board.

(3) On July 1, 2010, Section 40-22-225(B)(2) will be void.

(C) To be eligible for licensure and registration as a professional land surveyor TIER A, an applicant must be of good character and reputation and be able to effectively communicate in the English language. When the evidence presented in the application does not appear to the board conclusive or does not warrant the issuing of a certificate of registration, the applicant may be required to present further evidence for the consideration of the board. The applicant must also meet the requirements of the other pertinent sections of this chapter. The minimum evidence satisfactory to the board that an applicant is qualified for licensure as a TIER A Professional Land Surveyor is:

(1) graduation from a school or college of four or more years with a board-approved bachelor of science degree or an ABET commission accredited curriculum in a related field or a substantially equivalent program, including completed discipline-specific courses of not less than twelve semester hours or the equivalent in quarter hours satisfactory to the board in each of the disciplines described in Section 40-22-20(23) for which the applicant is requesting licensure, a specific record of four or more years of progressive practical experience of a character satisfactory to the board and performed under a practicing registered professional land surveyor, and passing of the Fundamentals of Land Surveying examinations and the written or electronic examinations in the Principles and Practices of TIER A Land Surveying in the discipline for which the applicant is requesting licensure as prescribed by the board; or

(2) graduation from a school or college of two or more years with an associate degree in a TAC/ABET Commission accredited curriculum of engineering technology, land surveying, or a substantially equivalent program, including completed discipline-specific courses of not less than twelve semester hours or the equivalent in quarter hours satisfactory to the board, a specific record of four or more years of progressive practical experience of a character satisfactory to the board and performed under a practicing professional land surveyor, and passing of the Land Surveyor-in-Training Fundamentals of Land Surveying examinations and the written or electronic examinations in the Principles and Practices of TIER A Land Surveying in the disciplines for which the applicant is requesting licensure as prescribed by the board.

(3) On July 1, 2010, Section 40-22-225(C)(2) will be void.

(D) To be eligible for licensure and registration as a professional land surveyor TIER B an applicant must be of good character and reputation and be able to effectively communicate in the English language. The minimum evidence satisfactory to the board that an applicant is qualified for licensure as a TIER B Professional Land Surveyor is:

(1) graduation from a school or college of four or more years with a board-approved bachelor of science degree, including in the curriculum not less than fifteen semester hours or the equivalent in quarter hours of surveying, mapping, hydraulics, and hydrology courses satisfactory to the board, or a bachelor of engineering technology degree in an ABET Commission accredited curriculum of land surveying or engineering technology, including in the curriculum not less than twelve semester hours or the equivalent in quarter hours of surveying, mapping, hydraulics, and hydrology courses satisfactory to the board, a specific record of four or more years of progressive practical experience of a character satisfactory to the board and performed under a practicing registered land surveyor, and passing of the Land Surveyor-in-Training Fundamentals of Land Surveying examinations and the written or electronic examinations in the Principles and Practices of TIER A and TIER B Land Boundary Surveying as prescribed by the board.

(2) Persons registered as both Professional Land Surveyor and Professional Engineer are classified TIER B Professional Land Surveyors.

(E) As of June 30, 2001, a person who has been practicing land surveying pursuant to Section 40-22-20(23)(a)(3), (b), or (c) with at least four years' experience in the profession, two or more of which shall have been in responsible charge of geodetic survey projects, photogrammetric mapping, or GIS projects, upon application, must be licensed to practice TIER A land surveying in this State if the:

(1) applicant submits certified proof of:

(a) graduation from a school or college of two or more years; or

(b) a baccalaureate degree in surveying, geography, or a related field of study approved by the board, which may be substituted for two of the required years of experience; or

(c) a master's degree in surveying, geography, or a related field or study approved by the board, which may be substituted for a minimum of three of the required years of experience;

(d) photogrammetrists with seven years' experience and a high school diploma or the equivalent as of June 30, 2001, meet the education and experience requirements for licensure; or

(e) any licensee qualifying under Section 40-22-225(E) is restricted to practice within their specific discipline, disciplines, or subdiscipline.

(2) applicant submits proof of employment in responsible charge of geodetic or photogrammetric surveying or GIS mapping projects, practicing within the United States including itemized reports detailing methods, procedures, amount of the applicant's personal involvement, and the name, address, and telephone number of the client completed under the supervision of the applicant within the United States. A final map for one project successfully completed in the United States also must be submitted;

(3) applicant shall submit five letters of reference as to the applicant's character and quality of work, three of which shall be from professional land surveyors, mappers, or engineers currently practicing within the scope of their profession in an area of surveying or mapping;

(4) application is filed with the board before July 1, 2004. After June 30, 2004, no geodetic surveyor, photogrammetric surveyor, remote sensing surveyor, or GIS mapper may be licensed without meeting the requirements for education, length of experience, testing, or reciprocity criteria pursuant to this chapter.

(F) Applicants for licensure and registration as TIER A and TIER B Professional Land Surveyors qualifying under Section 40-22-225(C)(1) or Section 40-22-225(D)(1) before July 1, 2004, will satisfy the experience requirement with two years' progressive practical experience satisfactory to the board and performed under a practicing registered land surveyor.

(A) Applications for licensure must be on forms prescribed and furnished by the board and must contain statements made under oath showing the applicant's education and a detailed summary of his technical work.

(1) The application for engineering licensure must contain no fewer than five references of whom three or more are licensed engineers having personal knowledge of the applicant's engineering experience. In addition, the application must contain references to verify each employment period. The board shall solicit comments from references furnished; these comments must be confidential and privileged information for use only by the board.

(2) The application for land surveying licensure must contain no fewer than five references of whom three or more must be licensed land surveyors having personal knowledge of the applicant's land surveying experience. In addition, the application must contain references to verify each employment period. The board shall solicit comments from references furnished; these comments must be confidential and privileged information for use only by the board.

(B) When written examinations are required, they must be held at the time and place the board determines. Examinations must be given for the purpose of determining the qualifications of applicants for licensure separately in engineering and land surveying.

(C) A person who holds a certificate of registration to engage in the practice of engineering or land surveying issued on comparable qualifications from a state, territory, or possession of the United States, or of a foreign country, must be given comity consideration. The applicant is required to take such examinations as the board considers necessary to establish that his qualifications meet the requirements of this chapter and the regulations promulgated by the board; however, a land boundary surveying applicant must pass a written examination including questions of law, procedures, and practices pertaining to the practice of land boundary surveying in this State.

(D) A candidate who has failed an examination may apply for re-examination at the next examination date and must be re-examined with payment of an additional fee sufficient to cover the cost of re-examination to be determined by the board in regulation. A candidate for licensure who has failed the same topical examination two times shall provide evidence satisfactory to the board that the candidate has taken steps such as additional schooling, classes, seminars, or self-study to better prepare the candidate for a third examination on the same topical subject. The board may refuse further examination unless a candidate failing the same topical examination twice has shown evidence satisfactory to the board that measures have been taken to enhance the candidate's chances of success. A new application is required of a candidate having failed the same topical examination three times for a new determination by the board as to whether the candidate has the necessary experience and other qualifications for admittance to further examination.

(E) The board shall issue a certificate of registration upon payment of the registration fee as provided in this chapter to an applicant who, in the opinion of the board, has satisfactorily met all the requirements of this chapter. In the case of a professional engineer, the certificate authorizes the appropriate practice category of engineering. In the case of a professional land surveyor, the certificate authorizes the practice of TIER A or TIER B land surveying as applicable. A certificate of registration must state the full name of the licensee, have a serial number, and must be signed by the chairman and the secretary of the board under seal of the board.

(F) The issuance of a certificate of registration by the board is prima facie evidence that the person is licensed and is entitled to all the rights and privileges of a professional engineer or of a professional land surveyor while the license remains unrevoked or unexpired.

(G) The board, for sufficient reason, may reissue a certificate of registration to a person whose license has been revoked if a majority of the members of the board vote in favor of reissuance. A new certificate of registration to replace a revoked license or a certificate which has become lost, destroyed, or mutilated may be issued, subject to the rules of the board, and a charge to be determined by the board in regulation must be made for the issuance.

(A)(1) Every professional engineer and professional land surveyor licensed under this chapter who decides to continue the practice of his profession shall, biennially during the month of June, pay the board a fee sufficient to support the costs of the board's operations, to be determined by the board in regulation, for which fee a renewal registration card for the ensuing registration year must be issued.

(2) The board shall assess a late renewal penalty of twenty percent of the biennial renewal fee against those persons who do not renew their license within one month of the biennial renewal date. The penalty must be assessed for each two months thereafter with a maximum grace period of three months following the biennial renewal date. A person not renewing his license within three months following the annual renewal date shall file a new application accompanied by the required application fee or, if he is in a position to do so, file a notarized affidavit with the board certifying that he has not been engaged in the practice of engineering or land surveying in South Carolina during the period his license was not in a current condition, accompanied by the total amount of unpaid renewal fees and penalties.

(3) An individual whose license has lapsed due to nonpayment of the required renewal fee within three months of the due date is considered in the same category as a previously unlicensed person and, at the board's discretion, may be required to pass a written examination as a condition of relicensing.

(B) The board may promulgate regulations that as a condition of renewal or relicensure, a professional engineer must demonstrate continuing professional competency in engineering and a professional land surveyor must demonstrate continuing professional competency in land surveying. Any continuing professional competency requirement does not apply to a professional engineer or professional land surveyor who has been continuously licensed in this State since January 1, 1969.

(A) The practice of or offer to practice professional engineering or land surveying through a firm is permitted only through entities holding a valid certificate of authorization issued by the board. For the purposes of this section a certificate of authorization is also required for a firm practicing in this State under a fictitious name. However, when an individual is practicing engineering or land surveying in his name as individually licensed, that person is not required to obtain a certificate of authorization.

(B) The practice or offer to practice of engineering and land surveying by individual professional engineers or professional land surveyors licensed under this chapter through a firm offering engineering services or land surveying services to the public is permitted if:

(1) one or more of the corporate officers, in the case of a corporation, or one or more of the principal owners, in the case of other firms, are designated as being responsible for the professional services regulated by this board and are licensed under this chapter;

(2) all personnel of the firm who act on behalf of the firm as professional engineers or land surveyors in this State are licensed under this chapter; and

(3) the firm has been issued a certificate of authorization by the board as required by this section.

(C) Before the issuance of a certificate of authorization, the board must be in receipt of the firm's appropriate documentation issued by the Secretary of State.

(D) A firm desiring a certificate of authorization shall file with the board an application on forms provided by the board accompanied by the registration fee as provided in regulation. Each certificate of authorization must be renewed biennially. A renewal form provided by the board must be completed and submitted with the biennial registration fee, the fee being an amount as provided in regulation. Information to be provided on the application and renewal forms shall include the names and addresses of all officers and directors of the firm, or officers and partners of the partnership licensed to practice engineering or land surveying in this State, including those in responsible charge of branch offices providing services in this State.

(E) Disciplinary action against a firm must be administered in the same manner and on the same grounds as disciplinary action against an individual. No firm is relieved of responsibility for conduct or acts of its agents, officers, or employees by reason of its compliance with this section, and an individual practicing engineering or land surveying is not relieved of responsibility for professional services performed by reason of his employment or relationship with the firm.

(F) Nothing in this section may be construed to prohibit firms from joining together to offer engineering or land surveying services to the public, if each separate entity providing the services in this State otherwise meets the requirements of this section. For firms practicing as a professional corporation under the laws of this State, the joint practice of engineering and or land surveying with the professions of architecture, landscape architecture, and geology is specifically approved by the board.

(G) If the requirements of this section are met, the board shall issue a certificate of authorization to the firm, and the firm may contract for and collect fees for professional engineering and or land surveying services. The board, however, may refuse to issue a certificate or suspend or revoke an existing certificate for due cause. A person or firm aggrieved by an adverse determination of the board may file an appeal as provided for in this chapter.

(H) Nothing in this section may be construed to mean that a firm may practice or offer to practice engineering or land surveying without meeting individual licensure.

(A) Upon application to and approval by the board and payment of the fee provided in regulation, the board shall grant a temporary license for engineering work on one specified project in this State for a period not to exceed one year to an engineer who has recently become a resident of this State, or is a nonresident having no established place of business in this State, who meets the qualification requirements for licensure in this State and who holds a valid license to practice in another state. An engineer may not renew a temporary certificate at its expiration date and may not apply for temporary licensure in connection with more than one specific project in any three-year period.

(B)(1) Upon approval by the board and payment of the fee provided in regulation, the board shall grant a temporary certificate of authorization to a firm for work on one specified project in this State for a period not to exceed one year.

(2) This temporary certificate may be granted only to an out-of-state firm if at least one of the principal officers of the firm is licensed under this chapter or has obtained a temporary registration license as provided by this chapter.

(3) The approval of a temporary certificate of authorization constitutes appointment of the Secretary of State as an agent of the applicant for service of process in an action or proceeding against the applicant arising out of any transaction or operation connected with or incidental to the practice of engineering.

(C) Professional engineers and professional land surveyors engaged in practice through firms may maintain branch offices in addition to a principal place of business. Each principal place of business as well as each branch office providing services in this State must have a resident professional engineer in responsible charge of engineering work or a resident professional land surveyor in responsible charge of the field and office surveying work provided. A professional engineer must supervise the engineering activities of each branch office and a professional land surveyor must supervise the land surveying activities of each branch office. The resident professional engineer or resident professional land surveyor is considered in residence in only one place of business at a given time.

(D) For purposes of this subsection, "engaged in practice" means holding oneself out generally to the public as qualified and available to perform engineering or land surveying services.

SECTION 40-22-270. Official seals; stamping on plans and specifications.

Each licensee and each firm practicing under a certificate of authorization shall obtain a seal of the design authorized by the board and must comply with the following:

(1) Individual seals must be under the personal custody and control of the licensee and bear the licensee's name, registration license number, and the legend "Professional Engineer" or "Professional Land Surveyor" except for licenses issued before July 1, 2001, which may have the legend "Registered Professional Engineer" or "Registered Land Surveyor". The seal also shall bear evidence of the license category for professional engineers and the tier designation for professional land surveyors.

(2) Seals for firms practicing under a certificate of authorization must bear the firm's name, authorization number, and location.

(3) Plans, specifications, plats, and reports prepared by a licensee or prepared under the licensee's direct supervision must be stamped with seals when filed with public authorities during the life of the licensee's certificate.

(4) Plans and specifications prepared by a licensee or prepared under the licensee's direct supervision must be stamped with seals when issued for use as job site record documents at construction projects within this State.

(5) It is unlawful to seal documents with a seal after the certificate of the licensee or the certificate of authorization in the case of firms named on the seal has expired or has been revoked or suspended unless the certificate has been renewed, reissued, or reinstated.

(6) Where individual seals are affixed to plans, specifications, plats, and reports, the licensee shall affix his signature and date under or across the face and beyond the circumference of the seal. The signature and date must not be applied in a manner that obliterates or renders illegible the licensee's license number or name.

(7) The clerk of court or the register of deeds for any county shall refuse to accept for filing or recording a map, plat, survey, or other document within the definition of land surveying, dated after July 1, 1977, which does not have affixed to it the personal signature and prescribed impression seal of a professional land surveyor. No charge may be made by a professional land surveyor for the application of his impression seal.

(8) The building official, or other designated authority charged with the responsibility of issuing building or similar permits, shall refuse to issue a permit for any undertaking, the plans and specifications for which would require the seal of a professional engineer, unless the permit applicant has furnished satisfactory evidence that the documents were prepared by an engineer licensed as required by this chapter or that the documents are exempt from the requirements of this chapter. The building official, or designated authority charged with the responsibility of issuing building or similar permits, shall report to the board the name and address of a person who has or is suspected to have violated a provision of this chapter or a regulation promulgated pursuant to this chapter relating to the unlicensed practice of engineering.

SECTION 40-22-280. Exceptions from application of chapter.

(A) This chapter may not be construed to prevent or to affect:

(1) the practice of any other regulated profession or trade where the practice of the profession or trade may legitimately overlap the professions regulated by this chapter;

(2) the work of an employee or other subordinate of a person holding a certificate of registration under this chapter;

(3) the engineering work of regular employees of the government of the United States officially performing their duties for their employer on federal lands within this State, in the practice of engineering for the government, and where specified by federal statute;

(4) the land surveying work of regular employees of the government of the United States officially performing their duties for their employer on lands within this State, in the practice of land surveying for the government, and where specified by federal statute;

(5) the work or practice of a regular employee of a public utility, a telephone utility, or an electrical utility by rendering to the employing company engineering service in connection with its facilities which are subject to regulation, supervision, and control in order to safeguard life, health, and property by the Public Service Commission of this State, so long as the person is actually and exclusively employed. Engineering work not related to the exemption in this item where the safety of the public is directly involved must be accomplished by or under the responsible charge of a professional engineer;

(6) the work or practice of a regular employee of an electric cooperative, when rendering to the employing cooperative engineering service in connection with its facilities which are subject to regulations and inspections of the Rural Electric Administration, if the person is actually and exclusively employed. Engineering work not related to the exemption in this item where the safety of the public is directly involved must be accomplished by or under the responsible charge of a professional engineer;

(7) the work or practice of a regular employee of a state authority which is licensed by and subject to the safety regulations of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and which sells and distributes electric power to consumers, so long as the person is actually and exclusively employed. Engineering work not related to the exemption in this item where the safety of the public is directly involved must be accomplished by or under the responsible charge of a registered professional engineer; and

(8) the work of a general contractor, specialty contractor, or material supplier in the preparation and use of shop drawings or other graphic descriptions used to detail or illustrate a portion of the work required to construct the project in accordance with plans and specifications prepared under the requirements of this chapter.

(B) If drawings and specifications are signed by the authors with the true title of their occupations, this chapter does not apply to the preparation of plans and specifications for:

(1) farm buildings not designed or used for human occupancy;

(2) buildings and structures less than three stories high and less than five thousand square feet in area, except that buildings of assembly, educational, hazardous, and institutional occupancies as defined by the Standard Building Code regardless of area are not exempt from the provisions of this chapter; and

(3) alterations to a building to which this chapter does not apply, if the alterations do not result in a change which would otherwise place the building under the application of this chapter.

(C) This subsection may not be construed to prejudice a law, ordinance, regulation, or other directive enacted by another political body or a requirement by a contracting authority which would otherwise require preparation of plans and specifications under the responsible charge of a professional engineer or professional land surveyor.

SECTION 40-22-290. TIER A land surveying; what the practice does not include.

The practice of TIER A land surveying does not include:

(1) the creation of maps:

(a) prepared by private firms or government agencies for use as guides to motorists, boaters, aviators, or pedestrians;

(b) prepared for publication in a gazetteer or atlas as an education tool or reference publication;

(c) prepared for or by education institutions for use in the curriculum of any course of study or academic research;

(d) produced by any broadcast or print media firm as an illustrative guide to the geographic location of any event;

(e) prepared by lay persons for conversational or illustrative purposes, including advertising material and use guides;

(2) the transcription of existing documents or land records into geographic information systems/land information systems by manual or electronic means;

(3) the transcription of public record data into a cadastre (tax maps and associated records) and the maintenance of that cadastre by either manual or electronic means, including tax maps and zoning maps;

(4) the use of all documents or databases prepared by any federal agency and documents or databases using federal data by any person to prepare documents and databases including, but not limited to, federal and military versions of quadrangle topographic maps, military maps, and satellite imagery;

(5) the use of all civilian or commercial remotely sensed satellite data;

(6) all maps and databases created by any firm, in either hardcopy or electronic form, by full-time employees of that firm, of features that are wholly contained within properties that the firm owns, leases, rents, or has exclusive use or shared easement to, are exempt from the definition of land surveying. This exclusion includes public and private utility companies preparing inventory maps of their facilities as long as those maps and databases are not provided to anyone outside the company with any data that illustrates property ownership lines of property the firm does not own, lease, rent, or on which they have exclusive use or shared easement;

(7) the creation of maps and databases depicting the distribution of natural or cultural resources prepared by foresters, geologists, soil scientists, geophysicists, biologists, geographers, archeologists, historians, urban and regional planners, or other individuals qualified to prepare such maps as long as any property boundaries shown are either supplied by a professional land surveyor or transcribed from public deed or plat records converted from tax maps or cadastre, or are clearly not intended to serve as legal property boundaries;

(8) the creation of all maps and geo-referenced databases depicting physical features and events prepared by any government agency where the access to that data is restricted by statute, including geo-referenced data generated by law enforcement agencies involving crime statistics and criminal activities;

(9) the work of any official or employee of a political subdivision of this State while in the performance of their official duties involving Emergency 911 mapping, land use mapping, property tax mapping, remote sensing and implementation, maintenance, creation, and distribution of mapping grade GIS data as part of a political subdivision's geographic information system not to include TIER A land surveying activities as enumerated in Section 40-22-20(23) involving the creation of other than mapping grade GIS data.

SECTION 40-22-300. Promulgation of regulations for practice by firms located in foreign countries.

The board shall promulgate regulations for the practice of engineering in this State by engineers and engineering firms located in foreign countries. In promulgating these regulations, the board must consider requirements prescribed by this chapter and other requirements as may be reasonably necessary to protect consumers of engineering services provided by cross-border practitioners.

Except where inappropriate, regulations promulgated pursuant to Chapter 21, Title 40 of the 1976 Code are considered to be promulgated pursuant to Chapter 22, Title 40 of the 1976 Code as added by this act.

SECTION 40-22-320. Severability.

If a provision of this chapter or the application of a provision to a person or circumstance is held invalid, the invalidity does not affect other provisions or applications of this chapter which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this chapter are severable as provided in Section 40-1-220.